Oakland County issues on Primary Election ballot - Fox 2 News Headlines

Oakland County issues on Primary Election ballot

Oakland County's sole millage proposal on the Aug. 7, 2012 primary ballot is for the Art Institute Authority, which is also being proposed in two other Michigan counties.

The question is whether the Oakland County Art Institute Authority should have a ten-year 0.2 levy.

The DIA and critics have been debating with each other on whether citizens should be funding art museums and zoos in the Detroit area.

Critics also say that the millage is ambiguous and deceiving because of its language. The proposal may look like it is for a facility in Oakland County, but it is in fact for the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Some say the Detroit-owned 127-year-old art museum is one of the region's cultural gems and should be supported financially.

"The elimination of all public funding for operations has required the museum to turn almost entirely to the private sector, an operating model that is not sustainable, particularly in the current economy," said a DIA fact sheet on why it needs the property tax from the three counties.

PROPOSALS ON THE PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT FOR CITIES AND CHARTER TOWNSHIPS IN OAKLAND COUNTY

Berkley

MUNICIPAL OPERATING, POLICE AND FIRE MILLAGE PROPOSAL

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the City of Berkley be increased by 3 mills ($3.00 per thousand dollars of taxable value), beginning in 2013 as new additional millage in excess of the limitation imposed by Michigan Compiled Laws section 211.34d, to partially restore City Charter millage authorization previously approved by the electors as reduced by operation of the Headlee amendment, to provide funds for municipal operating purposes, including police and fire, library, parks, public works and sanitation services? It is estimated that 3 mills would raise approximately $1,362,000 when first levied in 2013.

Novi

Charter Amendment Proposal 1

Shall the Novi City Charter, Section 9.1(b), be amended to increase the millage amount for specific street and highway improvement purposes from a maximum of 1.0 mills (which has been reduced by the Headlee Amendment to .7719 mills) to a maximum of 1.5 mills beginning with 2013 tax year, resulting in the authorization to collect an estimated additional $2,172,006 dollars in the first year.

Oak Park

Oak Park Proposal No. 2012-03. Proposed Amendment to Section 18.1 of the Oak Park City Charter Shall Chapter 18 of the Charter of the City of Oak Park be amended so that public safety officers are excluded from the retirement system established by the City Charter, effective with the 2013-2014 fiscal year, and instead become members of a separate retirement system under 1937 PA 345, as amended, and that accumulated contributions to the current employees' retirement system made by or on behalf of such officers be transferred to the Act 345 retirement system? This charter amendment shall not be effective unless the electors approve the establishment of a separate retirement system under said Act 345.

Rochester Hills

Police Millage Renewal Plus New Millage to Maintain Current Service Level

The City of Rochester Hills currently funds police services through special police millages, totaling 1.2083 mills, and additional funds drawn from the City's general operating millage and other sources.

The current special police millages will expire after final levy in 2013. In order to maintain the current level of police services, this proposal would (A) renew the expiring special police millage of 1.2083 mills and (B) authorize up to 2.5 additional mills, for 10 years, to allow the City to discontinue the use of general operating millage for police services.

If no action is taken, the City forecasts that funding through additional voter-approved special millage and/or a larger allocation of the City's general operating millage will be necessary.

Therefore, shall the City renew the expiring 1.2083 mills ($1.2083 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levy up to 2.5 additional mills ($2.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) on the taxable value of all property assessed for taxes in the City for 10 years, with the first year of levy in calendar year 2014 (for fiscal year 2015) and continuing through 2023 (for fiscal year 2024), inclusive, to fund and maintain the current level of police protection, services and operations? This will provide estimated revenue of $10,864,051 if levied in full in the first year.

Wixom

Shall Section 9.2 of the Charter of the City of Wixom, Oakland County, Michigan, be amended so as to permit the increase of the millage cap in an amount not to exceed 4.98 mills for Public Safety and other City purposes?

Bloomfield

RENEWAL OF PUBLIC SAFETY MILLAGE

Shall the Charter Township of Bloomfield be authorized to renew up to 2.3931 mills for a period of ten (10) years to finance continued Fire, Police and Public Safety protection commencing with the December 2013 levy? Approval of this proposal would permit a tax of $2.3931 per $1,000.00 of taxable value on all taxable property in the Township. This proposed millage is a renewal of previously authorized millage which expires in 2012. This millage will be subject to applicable constitutional tax limitation provisions at the time of levy, and will not exceed the above stated rate. It is estimated that this proposal will result in the authorization to collect $7,410,947 in the first year if approved and levied.

Oakland

RENEWAL OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION OPERATING MILLAGE

Shall the Charter of Township of Oakland be authorized to continue the previously authorized levy of up to .1170 of one mill (which is less than 1/8 of one mill) for a period of ten (10) years, starting with the December 2012 levy, for the purpose of continuing to fund historic preservation, education, restoration, acquisition, and maintenance within Oakland Township? As part of this purpose, this millage includes funding for the development and maintenance of the Cranberry Lake Farm Historic District, the township owned National Register of Historic Places site as an historical community center. This proposed millage is a renewal of a previously authorized millage to be distributed to the Charter Township of Oakland for these purposes. Approval of this proposal would renew a tax limitation increase of 11.7 cents per $1,000 of taxable value on all taxable property in the township, or $11.70 per year on a home with a taxable value of $100,000. It is estimated that this proposal would result in the authorization to collect approximately $117,000 in the first year if approved by voters and levied.

Orion

PROPOSED FIRE MILLAGE RENEWAL

Shall the Charter Township of Orion be authorized to continue the previously authorized levy of .9916 mills for a period of 4 years beginning December 2012 and expiring December 2015 to provide fire protection services for the operation and maintenance of the Orion Township Fire Department, including the purchase of equipment and buildings to serve the Charter Township of Orion and the Village of Lake Orion? Approval of this proposal would authorize the levy of approximately $.9916 per $1,000 of taxable value on all property in the Township and the Village of Lake Orion. It is estimated that this proposal would result in authorization to collect approximately $1,297,750 in the first year if approved and levied. A property with taxable value of $50,000 would be taxed $49.58 for the millage.

PROPOSED POLICE MILLAGE RENEWAL

Shall the Charter Township of Orion be authorized to continue the previously authorized levy of 1.9832 mills for a period of 4 years beginning December 2012 and expiring December 2015 to provide police protection services; including equipment, operating costs, officer quarters and personnel costs in the Township? Approval of this proposal would authorize the levy of approximately $1.98 per $1,000 of taxable value on all taxable property in the Township and the Village of Lake Orion, a portion of which will be disbursed to the Village of Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority and the Village of Lake Orion. It is estimated that this proposal would result in authorization to collect approximately $2,425,440 in the first year if approved and levied. A property with taxable value of $50,000 would be taxed $99.16 for the millage.

PROPOSED POLICE MILLAGE

Shall the Charter Township of Orion be authorized to levy an additional 1.0168 mills for a period of 4 years beginning December 2012 and expiring December 2015 to provide police protection services; including equipment, operating costs, officer quarters and personnel costs in the Township? Approval of this proposal would authorize the levy of approximately $1.02 per $1,000 of taxable value on all taxable property in the Township and the Village of Lake Orion, a portion of which will be disbursed to the Village of Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority and the Village of Lake Orion. It is estimated that this proposal would result in authorization to collect approximately $1,237,305 in the first year if approved and levied. A property with taxable value of $50,000 would be taxed $50.84 for the millage.

Oxford

LIBRARY MILLAGE PROPOSAL

Shall the tax limitation imposed on all taxable real and tangible personal property within the Charter Township of Oxford, Oakland County, Michigan, be increased for said Township in an amount not to exceed .4518 mill ($.4518 mill on each $1,000 of taxable value) in perpetuity beginning with the 2012 levy, to provide funds for supporting, maintaining, operating, and constructing the Oxford Township Public Library and for all other library purposes authorized by law; and shall the Township levy such new additional millage for said purposes? The estimate of the revenue the Township will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the 2012 calendar year is approximately $310,000. A portion of the revenue collected will be required to be distributed to the Village of Oxford Downtown Development Authority.

Springfield

POLICE ADDITIONAL MILLAGE QUESTION

Shall the limitation on general ad valorem taxes imposed upon taxable property within the Charter Township of Springfield be increased by .75 mills and that amount levied for a period of four (4) years from 2012 to 2015, inclusive, for the purpose of maintaining police services. If approved, the levy would generate in the first year approximately $412,500.00.

Waterford

RENEWAL OF ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT MILLAGE FOR WATERFORD TOWNSHIP ONLY

Shall the existing authorized Charter Millage within the Charter Township of Waterford be renewed at 0.63000 mills (.63 cents per $1,000.00 of taxable value) upon taxable real property and tangible personal property within the Township of Waterford for the period years of 2013 through 2022, inclusive (for fiscal years 2013 – 2022) said funds to be used by the Fire Department, for Waterford only, to continue providing Paramedic Advanced Life Support and Transportation Services and to maintain current staffing levels, and shall the Township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby generating in the first year an estimated $1,216,130.18.

RENEWAL OF LIBRARY MILLAGE

Shall the existing authorized charter millage of the Charter Township of Waterford be renewed at .9118 mills (.9118 cents per $1,000.00 of taxable value) upon real property and tangible personal property within the Township for a period of ten (10) years, 2013 through 2022 inclusive, said funds to be used for the cost of operation and maintenance of the Township Public Library; and shall the Township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby generating in the first year an estimated $1,760,107.15?

West Bloomfield

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD PROPOSAL FOR PARKS AND RECREATION GENERAL OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL

Shall the previously authorized tax levy by the Charter Township of West Bloomfield of up to .2435 mills or less, as reduced by millage rollbacks required by law, be renewed after it expires in 2013 for a period of 10 years from 2014 through 2023? The proceeds of the levy will be used for the support of the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission for acquisition, maintenance, management and control of Township parks and places of recreation. Approval of this proposal would renew the tax limitation levy of .2435 mills or less if reduced by millage rollbacks ($0.2435 per $1,000 of taxable value) on all taxable property in the Township. It is estimated that this proposal would result in the authorization to collect up to $758,789 in the first year if approved and levied.

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD PROPOSAL FOR PARKS AND RECREATION GENERAL OPERATING MILLAGE INCREASE

Shall the Charter Township of West Bloomfield be authorized to increase the levy of taxes by up to .35 mills for a period of 12 years from 2012 through 2023? The proceeds of the levy will be used for the support of the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission for acquisition, maintenance, management and control of Township parks and places of recreation. Approval of this proposal would authorize a tax limitation increase of .35 mills ($0.35 per $1,000 of taxable value) on all taxable property in the Township. It is estimated that this proposal would result in the authorization to collect up to $1,090,661 in the first year if approved and levied.

White Lake

POLICE-FIRE OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL

Shall the previously voted 1.00 mill increase in the constitutional tax limitation on the amount of taxes upon taxable property within the Charter Township of White Lake, which last resulted in a levy of .9526 mills ($.9526 per $1,000 TV) in 2011, be increased to and renewed at the original voted 1.00 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 TV) and levied for a period of ten (10) years from 2012 to 2021 inclusive, for fire and police services, with 65% to be allocated for police services and 35% for fire services; and shall the Township levy such renewal? If approved, the Township shall collect from this levy in the first year approximately $935,671.
FIRE MILLAGE RENEWAL
Shall the previously voted .6740 mill increase in the constitutional tax limitation on the amount of taxes upon taxable property within the Charter Township of White Lake, which last resulted in a levy in that amount, be renewed at .6740 mills ($.6740 per $1,000 TV) and levied for a period of ten (10) years from 2012 to 2021 inclusive, for the purpose of maintaining current fire and emergency medical services, including personnel, equipment, vehicles, and operational costs? If approved, the Township shall collect from this levy in the first year approximately $630,642.

FIRE MILLAGE INCREASE

Shall the limitation on general ad valorem taxes imposed upon taxable property within the Charter Township of White Lake be increased by 0.5 mills ($0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) and that amount levied for a period of 10 years from 2012 to 2021 inclusive, for the purpose of maintaining current fire and emergency medical services, including personnel, equipment, vehicles, and operational costs? If approved, the Township shall collect from this levy in the first year approximately $467,835.

PARKS AND RECREATION MILLAGE

Shall the tax limitation on general ad valorem taxes within the Charter Township of White Lake, imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution, be increased for the Township for .3 mills ($0.30 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of five years from 2012 through 2016 inclusive, for recreation purposes, including park maintenance, pathway and park construction, (including acquisition of land and easements for that purpose), providing matching funds in connection for grant applications for recreation purposes; and shall the Township levy such a millage for said purposes, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $280,701.00?

Milford

Charter Amendment

If the full amount of the property taxes authorized by this proposed amendment is levied by the Village Council in the year 2013, then the estimated amount of revenue that will be collected is $763,000. Should Section 8.5 of the Village of Milford Charter be amended to include a new additional millage that would increase the Charter tax rate by 3.5 mills (which is equal to $3.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) for ten years, 2013 through 2022, and then reduced to 1.0 mill increase over the charter tax rate (which is equal to $1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for an additional ten years, 2023 through 2032, for the purpose of defraying the cost of major and local road maintenance?

Fenton Area Public Schools

MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL BUILDING AND SITE SINKING FUND TAX LEVY

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Fenton Area Public Schools, Genesee, Livingston and Oakland Counties, Michigan, be renewed by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed .9362 mill ($0.9362 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 7 years, 2013 to 2019, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $690,000?

School District of Hazel Park

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT BOND PROPOSITION

Shall the School District of the City of Hazel Park, County of Oakland, State of Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Eight Million ($8,000,000) Dollars and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of paying for the cost of the following:

• Equipping and re-equipping school buildings and other facilities for technology systems and technology equipment;
• Remodeling, re-equipping and re-furnishing school buildings and other facilities and preparing, developing and improving sites at school buildings and other facilities; and
• Preparing, developing, improving, remodeling and equipping athletic field sites and erecting athletic field structures and facilities?

The estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year is 0.79 mills ($0.79 per $1,000 of taxable value). The maximum number of years the proposed bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of refunding, is not more than twenty (20) years; and the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire the proposed bonds over twenty (20) years is 2.10 mills annually ($2.10 per $1,000 of taxable value).
(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for teacher, administrator or employee salaries, repair or maintenance costs or other operating expenses.)

BUILDING AND SITE SINKING FUND TAX PROPOSITION

This proposition, if approved by the electors, will allow the School District of the City of Hazel Park to levy a building and site sinking fund millage, the proceeds of which will be used to make infrastructure improvements and repairs to the School District's facilities. Pursuant to State Law, the expenditure of the building and site sinking fund millage proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for teacher, administrator or employee salaries, maintenance or other operating expenses.

Shall the School District of the City of Hazel Park, County of Oakland, State of Michigan, be authorized to levy 1 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable valuation), for a period of five (5) years, from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2017, to create a building and site sinking fund for the purpose of construction or repair of school buildings or any other purpose authorized under law? This millage would provide estimated revenues to the School District of the City of Hazel Park of approximately Three Hundred Four Thousand Three Hundred Forty ($304,340) Dollars during the 2012 calendar year, if approved and levied.

Holly Area School District

MILLAGE PROPOSAL, BUILDING AND SITE SINKING FUND TAX LEVY

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in the Holly Area School District, Oakland County, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1.2 mills ($1.20 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2012 to 2021, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2012 is approximately $917,692?

For a full list of candidates on the August 7 Primary Election ballot, CLICK HERE.

Information for this article came from the Michigan Voter Information Center and the Oakland Press.